Eye of Modok

Yesterday, we went to the World Carnival Beijing. Salomae got 5 free tickets so we took the kids and asked the ayi (maid/nanny) to come with us so we could ride the big rides ourselves. Free tickets got us a ride on the world’s highest ferris wheel, which we a bit scary for the kids but they enjoyed it. After that, lots of money went flying out of our pockets.

Blysse got terrified in the 3-D Haunted House, as did mother, though not quite to the same extent. We had a really good time. I loved the carnival feeling I hadn’t noticed I missed. We all rode some rides and they fortunately had some cheap ones for the kids to whom quantity matters but even they were pretty special compared to the ones in the parks here. And then I got my ass kicked by a ride. I finally allowed victory to go to a ride, after years of chasing the best and most thrilling in the world. It could be my body just can’t take things as well after 30 years but I don’t think so. Perhaps, evolution is moving beyond what I was made to endure. Let’s not dwell on it.

Top Buzz, the flashing neon lights declare! The colorful swaying spotlights emphasize the wild gyrations, flashing in your eyes and then gone, dazzling you with the speed. It is the first thing you see as you approach the gate. After you have lowered your eyes from the towering wonder that is the ferris wheel. As we neared the entrance, Blysse and Ellie, eyes lit up with excitement, practiacally dragged me to the gate. And there it was, challenging me. “I’m gonna kick your ass,” it remarked, sanguine in its confidence.

“You just might,” I replied, “But I haven’t been licked yet.” There was no reply. The challenge had been issued and accepted.

After enjoying the rest of the carnival we approached, eager in our anticipation. We strapped in, uncomfortably close to the guy next to me, perhaps, because he was digging his elblow into my forearm. I rearranged myself so that my arms are free of the grips; maybe not such a wise position, in retrospect, as my limbs did rather flail about. At last it lifted its tentacles upward and the next thing I know I’m upside down and all the blood is rushing to my head. The rest was just one whirling, twirling, nearly hurling, headrushed blur. An above average amount of time was spent upside down, combined with the centifrugal force from the spinning. Exhileration soon gave way to the feeling I was trapped in a ritual I must simply endure.

At last the ride slowed down. My head was pounding. I was thrilled by the experience but I knew I had met my match. Top Buzz did not gloat. It didn’t even deign to acknowledge me as I departed, sure in my knowledge that I just taken my first and only ride.